Cribbs released; Pryor and Watson work with first team

Veteran receiver/kick returner Josh Cribbs was released Sunday, as he never showed any burst in his comeback from offseason knee surgery. Then, in Friday’s preseason game against Chicago, he muffed one kickoff return and fumbled another.

Jacoby Ford, who had a 62-yard kickoff return Friday in his preseason debut, will handle the kick-returning duties.

The Raiders had big plans for Cribbs, because of his leadership skills and kick coverage tenacity, but couldn’t wait on him to get right. A league source said Cribbs is getting his knee looked at again. As a vested veteran, Cribbs had his contract terminated and he is free to sign with any team.

We’ll hear from coach Dennis Allen after practice if Pryor was splitting snaps with Matt Flynn, or if Allen has made the switch. Pryor threw his hat into the starting competition after a two-touchdown performance Friday, coming in for Flynn, who threw two interceptions and looked absolutely lost in the first quarter and a half.

Watson was taking snaps at left tackle. The team’s second-round pick practiced once — on the last day — at training camp after battling a calf injury. Alex Barron had been filling in for injured left tackle Jared Veldheer, and while he was better against the pass on Friday, did not show well in the running game.

That puts the Raiders roster at 79 so they have four more cuts (or injury moves) to make by Tuesday.

Also, receiver Juron Criner (undisclosed injury) returned to practice after missing two weeks. Cornerback Tracy Porter was also back from a groin injury. Safety Tyvon Branch (ribs), receivers Brice Butler (hamstring) and Rod Streater (concussion) and linebacker Kaluka Maiava (undisclosed) were working out with a trainer on the side.